Antalya, Turkey · Limb reconstruction

Limb Shortening Surgery in Antalya, Turkey

Explore limb shortening surgery in Antalya with Op. Dr. Mesut Sançmış. Learn about treatment options, recovery and personalised care.

  • Femoral and tibial shortening options
  • Leg length equalisation for unequal legs
  • Internal nail fixation, no external frame
  • Psychological assessment before any cosmetic case

Start Your Limb Shortening Consultation

Tell us your height and what you would like to change. Our team will explain the consultation process and help you understand which assessments may be required.

  • 4.9 on Google · 228 reviews
  • Ministry of Health health tourism authorisation
  • English-speaking patient team
  • Assessment before acceptance
  • Risks explained before consent
  • Easy connections from US cities via Istanbul
Before & after
Combined before and after photograph of a limb shortening patient, 178 cm reduced to 172 cm

A documented patient case

Before & After Results

−6 cm Before 178 cm · after 172 cm
5′10″ → 5′8″

4 cm from the femur and 2 cm from the tibia, both legs. The reduction was shared across two levels.

Femur and tibia Both legs Intramedullary nail −6 cm total

Results vary and depend on bone anatomy, muscle length and the segment used. This case is not a prediction of your result. Published with signed patient consent.

Op. Dr. Mesut Sançmış Orthopaedics & Traumatology · MSM Clinic, Antalya
Op. Dr. Mesut Sançmış, Orthopaedics and Traumatology specialist at MSM Clinic, Antalya

Dr. Mesut Sançmış

Meet Your Limb Shortening Surgeon

17 years in orthopaedics and traumatology,
since 2009

Op. Dr. Mesut Sançmış is an Orthopaedics and Traumatology specialist. He leads each patient's assessment and treatment plan at MSM Clinic.

He trained and practised at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, worked for six years as a consultant in Turkish state hospitals and founded MSM Clinic in 2022.

Limb shortening is a narrow indication. Cosmetic enquiries are assessed clinically and psychologically, and a case is declined when surgery is unlikely to help.

  • ◆ Orthopaedics & Traumatology specialist
  • ◆ In orthopaedics since 2009 · specialist since 2015
  • ◆ Osteotomy, limb reconstruction and deformity correction
  • ◆ Faculty member, Alanya University, since 2024
  • ◆ Peer-reviewed publications in orthopaedic journals

Licensed for international patients

Ministry of Health Health Tourism Authorisation

MSM Clinic health tourism authorisation
Op. Dr. Mesut Sançmış Orthopaedics & Traumatology · MSM Clinic, Antalya

Explainer videos

Short Videos from MSM Clinic

Short videos from MSM Clinic about treatment and what to expect.

Google, Trustpilot and WhatClinic reviews

What Patients Say About MSM Clinic

Most of these reviews relate to MSM Clinic's general orthopaedic services rather than limb shortening.

Reviews from across the practice — knee, foot and ankle, trauma and deformity work. This is the surgeon’s day job, not a sideline.

4.0 Trustpilot reviews
4.9 228 reviews · Antalya
4.9 WhatClinic reviews

What is removed, and from where

How a Limb Is Shortened

Limb shortening, also called height reduction surgery, removes a planned segment of bone. The ends are held together with a nail inside the bone while they heal. There is no lengthening phase and no external frame.

Femoral Shortening

Thigh bone

A measured segment is removed from the femur and the bone ends are fixed with an internal nail. The femur usually allows a larger reduction than the tibia, but the safe amount is set individually after assessment.

BeforeAfter

Tibial Shortening

Shin bone

A smaller segment is removed from the tibia, as the calf muscles and nerves have less slack. It may be used alone for a small reduction or combined with femoral shortening. The safe amount depends on your anatomy.

BeforeAfter

Leg Length Equalisation

One leg

The longer leg is shortened so that both legs match. The amount is based on an accurate measurement of the difference on full-length standing X-rays. It may reduce the need for a shoe lift.

UnevenLevel

Limb Shortening Surgery: Recovery Process

Recovery times vary from person to person. The timings below are approximate and are confirmed after medical assessment.

Stage 1

Assessment

Full-length standing X-rays measure your legs. Cosmetic cases also include a psychological assessment.

From home · approx. 2–4 weeks

Stage 2

Planning

The segment to be removed and the nail size are planned on your imaging before surgery.

Before surgery

Stage 3

Surgery

The planned segment is removed and the bone ends are fixed with an internal nail. Whether one or both legs are treated is decided individually.

Antalya · day 0

Stage 4

Early Recovery

A short hospital stay, then walking with crutches. Physiotherapy starts early and focuses on muscle strength.

Antalya · approx. weeks 1–3

Stage 5

Bone Healing

Weight-bearing increases as the bone heals on X-ray. Many patients stop using crutches within several weeks.

Home · approx. weeks 3–12

Stage 6

Muscle Strength

Regaining full muscle strength usually takes several months of structured exercise. Sport returns on your surgeon's clearance.

Home · approx. months 3–9

Understanding the Risks of Limb Shortening Surgery

Limb shortening is a major operation on healthy bone, and its risks differ from those of lengthening. The figures come from published studies and are not MSM Clinic's own results.

  • Muscle weakness common after shortening The muscles are left relatively slack, so they are weaker at first. Strengthening takes months, and larger reductions carry more risk.
  • Delayed union or non-union ~5–10% of osteotomies Monitored on X-ray. Smoking increases the risk, so stopping is advised.
  • Nerve or vessel injury uncommon, more likely in the tibia One reason the tibia allows a smaller reduction than the femur.
  • Infection ~1–3% with internal fixation Reduced with an antibiotic protocol and regular wound checks.
  • Altered proportions permanent The legs become shorter while sitting height stays the same. Your proportions are discussed with you before consent.
  • Regret possible The change is permanent and cannot be reversed. This is why cosmetic cases need a psychological assessment.

Some complications need further treatment or surgery. Your surgeon explains your individual risks before you consent.

Accommodation

Comfortable Accommodation in Antalya

Our team can help arrange accommodation around your treatment and mobility needs. Ramada Plaza Antalya is one option to discuss during planning.

~10 minto the clinic
On sitesea platform
~20 minfrom the airport

Distances are approximate.

What We Arrange With You

  • Suitable roomSuited to walking aids, confirmed when you book
  • BathroomAdaptations, where available
  • Lift accessTo your floor
  • BreakfastIf included in your package
  • Clinic transfersTo clinic and physiotherapy appointments
  • Local supportHotel reception and your patient coordinator
Ask About Accommodation Details depend on your treatment plan.
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For international patients

International Patient Services

Practical support before, during and after your stay in Antalya.

Private transfer from Antalya airport to MSM Clinic

Travel and Transfers

Our team arranges your transfers during treatment.

  • Airport transfers, accessible vehicles on request
  • Transport to clinic and physiotherapy appointments
  • Help with flight planning
  • Check before you are cleared to fly home

Explore Your Limb Shortening Options

Contact MSM Clinic to learn about limb shortening surgery, recovery and personalised treatment planning.

Confidential EnquiryEnglish-Speaking SupportNo ObligationAdults 18+

Transparent pricing

Treatment Costs and What's Included

The cost depends on the procedure, whether one or both legs are treated and your medical needs. You receive a written quotation after assessment.

Itemised in Your Quotation

Each item is listed as included or not included
  • • Surgical procedure
  • • Hospital stay
  • • Medical imaging
  • • Implants and fixation devices
  • • Physiotherapy
  • • Accommodation
  • • Transfers
  • • Follow-up appointments
  • • Nail removal
  • • Potential revision surgery

MSM Clinic · Antalya

Confirmed in writing after assessment
  • ✓ One or both legs, planned individually
  • ✓ Full-length imaging and surgical planning
  • ✓ Physiotherapy during your stay in Antalya
  • ✓ Nail removal: inclusion stated in your quotation
  • ✓ Written quotation before any deposit
Procedure
Fixation
Off crutches (approx.)
Time in Antalya (approx.)
Femoral shortening — both legs
Intramedullary nail
~6–10 weeks
2–3 weeks
Tibial shortening — both legs
Intramedullary nail
~6–10 weeks
2–3 weeks
Leg length equalisation — one leg
Intramedullary nail
~6–8 weeks
2 weeks
Nail removal — optional
—
~1–2 weeks
4–5 days

Your quotation lists each item above as included or not included. Flights, a companion's costs and imaging in your home country are usually not included. Prices are confirmed only after assessment, and no outcome is guaranteed.

Answered properly

Limb Shortening Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single safe figure. The amount depends on the bone used, your muscle length and your anatomy, and the femur usually allows more than the tibia. Your surgeon sets a safe target after examination and X-rays. Larger reductions increase the risk of lasting muscle weakness.

In principle, yes, but recovery is different. There is no daily lengthening phase or external frame, so the stay is usually shorter. The main challenge after shortening is regaining muscle strength, because the muscles are left relatively slack.

For a leg length difference, shortening the longer leg is often simpler than lengthening the shorter one. Lengthening may be preferred if you do not want to lose overall height or the difference is large. The choice is made with your surgeon after measurement.

Usually around two to three weeks, including a short hospital stay, wound checks, physiotherapy and a control X-ray before you fly. The exact length depends on your procedure and progress, and is stated in your treatment plan.

You usually walk with crutches soon after surgery. Many patients stop using crutches within several weeks, depending on bone healing. Return to driving and work depends on your job, which leg was treated and your surgeon's advice.

Yes, at first. After shortening, the thigh or calf muscles are relatively slack and need months of targeted exercise to regain strength. Staying within the planned reduction helps protect long-term function.

Your legs become shorter while your sitting height stays the same, so your torso looks relatively longer. How noticeable this is varies between people. Your surgeon reviews your proportions with you before you consent.

Yes, for cosmetic height reduction. The change is permanent and cannot be reversed, so we need to be confident that surgery is likely to help. If the assessment suggests otherwise, the case is declined.

Yes. Inserting the nail requires small incisions, usually near the hip or knee depending on the bone treated. Scars fade over time but do not disappear completely. Your surgeon can show you where they will be.

Not always. Many patients keep the nail permanently. If it causes discomfort, it can be removed in a shorter second procedure once the bone has fully healed. Your quotation states whether removal is included.

Treatment is only for adults aged 18 and over, once bone growth is complete. There is no fixed upper limit, but bone healing slows with age, so older patients are assessed individually.

You have a named contact, and your follow-up imaging can be reviewed remotely. For urgent symptoms, seek local medical care first. The cover for complications, and for how long, is set out in writing before you pay a deposit.

From enquiry to Antalya

A Simple Three-Step Start

1

Send Your Enquiry

Share your height, what you would like to change and any X-rays. If you have none, we tell you which ones are needed.

2

Assessment

A video consultation with Dr. Sançmış and, for cosmetic cases, a psychological assessment. A written quotation follows; the final plan is confirmed after examination.

3

Plan Your Stay in Antalya

Our team helps arrange transfers, accommodation and physiotherapy. Most of the recovery continues at home.

Confidential Enquiry | English-Speaking Support | No Obligation

Why Antalya

Recover in Antalya, on the Mediterranean Coast

Clinic, physiotherapy and accommodation within a short distance of each other, in a city your family will enjoy while you recover.

MSM Clinic · Muratpaşa, Antalya

A look at Antalya and the clinic, before you decide.

  1. Mild Climate and a Level Seafront A flat coastal promenade for walks during recovery, in one of the warmest cities on the Mediterranean.
  2. Short Journeys During Treatment Clinic, physiotherapy and accommodation are a short drive apart, so there is less travel on walking aids.
  3. A Shorter Stay Limb shortening usually needs a much shorter stay in Antalya than limb lengthening. Your treatment plan states the expected duration, and much of the recovery continues at home.
  4. Easy Connections Antalya Airport (AYT) is reachable from major US cities with one connection, usually via Istanbul.

Randevu / Bilgi Al

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